Free walking tours in Trani and what to see

Must-sees

Trani is a seafaring town in northern Puglia, between Bari and Barletta. Its best-known image is the cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, a jewel of Apulian Romanesque built of pale stone by the sea, with a tall bell tower and a crypt you can visit. Opposite stands the castle Frederick II had built in the 13th century, now surrounded by a moat and open to visitors.

Behind the cathedral lies the old Jewish quarter, which once had several synagogues. The Scolanova, in Romanesque style, returned to worship in the 21st century, and another old synagogue, later turned into a church, now houses a small museum. Walk around the harbour too, lined with palazzi, where the apses of the church of Ognissanti peep out, and finish in the Villa Comunale, a garden by the sea.

Free tours and guided visits

Trani has no fixed free tour, but there are guided group walks and private tours covering the cathedral, the castle, the Jewish quarter and the harbour. Excursions also leave from the town to Castel del Monte, Frederick II's octagonal castle in the Murgia. If you are interested in wine, you can book a visit with tasting at a local winery where Moscato di Trani is made.

How long to spend

A full day is enough for the cathedral, the castle, the Jewish quarter and a sunset walk around the harbour. If you stay overnight in Trani, use the second day to go to Castel del Monte or visit other coastal towns such as Barletta or Bisceglie. Bari is close and well connected by train.

Where to stay

The nicest choice is to stay in the historic centre or near the harbour, where there are small hotels and guesthouses in old palazzi and everything is within walking distance. If you arrive by train or car, the newer area between the station and the centre is practical and a short walk from the sea.